The Yonkers Police Department and SPCA Westchester Humane Law Enforcement have arrested a 37-year-old Yonkers man following an investigation into the death of Kobe, a dog who was abandoned, tied to a park fence, and left to die.
On July 4, 2026, Police Officers from the Yonkers Police Department’s 3rd Precinct responded to a park in the area of 350 Hawthorne Avenue and began investigating an animal cruelty incident after Kobe was found deceased, still tied to the fence where he had been abandoned. Temperatures during that period had climbed into the high 90s, and Kobe was found without access to food or water. The investigation was continued by Detective Specialists Makena Raffa and Frank Cimadomo, working in conjunction with the SPCA of Westchester Humane Law Enforcement Unit, under the direction of Director Ernest Lungaro.
Through their investigation, Detectives identified Daniel Martinez, 37, of Yonkers, as the individual responsible for abandoning Kobe. Investigators determined that Martinez had taken Kobe from his residence the previous evening, tied him to the fence, and walked away. Martinez later acknowledged that he left Kobe there because he could no longer keep him. Investigators further determined that no arrangements had been made for another person to take possession of or care for Kobe.
On August 27, Detective Specialists Raffa and Cimadomo, members of the Yonkers Police Department’s 3rd Precinct, and Director Lungaro located Martinez and placed him under arrest. With the assistance of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Martinez was charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a felony under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
This case is being prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Charges are accusations and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.